Shloka 21
अर्जुनस्य रथाश्वमोचनं कृष्णस्याश्वसेवा च
Arjuna’s Horses Freed; Krishna’s Equine Service
संजय उवाच एवमाश्वासितो राजनू् पुत्रेण तव सैन्धव: । दुर्योधनेन सहितो द्रोणं रात्रावुपागमत्,संजय कहते हैं--राजन्! इस प्रकार आपके पुत्र दुर्योधनके आश्वासन देनेपर जयद्रथ उसके साथ रात्रिके समय द्रोणाचार्यके पास गया
sañjaya uvāca evam āśvāsito rājan putreṇa tava saindhavaḥ | duryodhanena sahito droṇaṃ rātrāv upāgamat ||
Sanjaya said: O King, thus reassured by your son, the Sindhu prince Jayadratha—accompanied by Duryodhana—went to Droṇa in the night. The verse highlights how, amid the moral strain of war, confidence is sought through alliances and promises, even as the night-time approach suggests urgency, anxiety, and strategic dependence on a powerful teacher-warrior.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how reassurance and promises from leaders can steady allies in crisis, yet it also hints at ethical fragility: in war, fear and urgency often drive people to seek power and protection through strategic counsel rather than through inner restraint or dharmic clarity.
After being consoled and encouraged by Duryodhana, Jayadratha goes with him at night to approach Droṇācārya—likely to seek guidance, support, or a plan—showing the Kaurava side coordinating with their chief commander under the pressure of unfolding events.